Abigail Adams to John Quincy Adams

[dateline] London August 11th. 1785 Grosvenor Square

[salute] My dear son

I went from my own little writing room below stairs just now into your Pappas; where
Mr. Storer was writing for him. Col. Smith having set of upon a Tour in order to see
the Prussian Review which takes place upon the 20 of this Month,1 Mr. Storer whilst he remains here; has offerd to supply his Place. Upon my going
into the room he told me that a vessel would sail for Boston tomorrow, which is the
first I knew of the Matter. Lyde is expected to sail in a few days and by him I design
to forward Letters to my Friends, but tho as usual I have several partly written none
are compleat. I however told Mr. Storer { 261 } that I would take my pen and write you a few lines, just to tell you that we are all
well and are now quite settled, that we wait with impatience to hear from you. Mr.
Short came here last week from Paris upon Buisness, he sets of tomorrow for the Hague.
Mr. Jefferson Col. Humphries Mr. Williamos &c. are all well. Mr. W is waiting as usual
for the moveing of the waters.2 If you get the English news papers you will think that the Father of Liars is turnd
Printer. Not a paper which has not some venom. I hope the Scripture Benidiction will
be fullfilld upon those who are falsly accused and persecuted.3 They however do not often attack us personally, only as the Representitive of America
&c. I was not displeased with one paragraph provided it would have a proper effect
upon our Country. It was this “the American minister has not yet paid his Way, that
is given a diaplomatick dinner to the Ministers, because Congress Paper will not pass
here.” If it was expensive living in France, it is much more so in London, but I trust
our Country will either consider us, or permit us to return.

The King of France has publishd an Arret prohibiting British Manufactories under severe
penalties, in concequence of which 8 thousand Gauze and Muslin looms have stoped working
here.4 I will inclose to you two or 3 News papers.

Captain Lyde will take Letters. The contents of some of them, you will be surprizd at, but, at the same time you will approve the wise conduct
of the writer who has shewn a firmness of mind and prudence which do her honour. Be Silent! We are all rejoiced because it came of her own accord free and
unsolicited from her, and was the result I believe of many Months anxiety as you were
witness.5

Remember me to all my Friends your Brothers in particular. I have not time to add
an other line. I do not know whether your sister writ[es] by this vessel to you.6 Let me hear from you by every opport[unity.] I have given Mr. Storer a Letter from Mr. Murray for you.7 M[r.] and Mrs. Temple sail next week for New York. Tis near four and I must dress for dinner.
Once more adieu. Your sister and I miss you much. We want you to walk and ride with
us, but we know and hope you are much more usefully employd. I am going with your
sister this afternoon to Hamstead to drink tea with Mrs. Hay, who resides out there.
I shall call and take Mrs. Rogers to accompany us. We all went last week to accompany
Mr. Short to the Hay Market,8 but who can realish the English after having been accustomed to the French Stage?
A Siddons may reconcile me to it, but I believe nothing else will.

4. Louis XVI issued this edict in council on 10 July to pressure the British ministry
to conclude a treaty of commerce, as provided for in the art. 18 of the Anglo-French
Treaty of Versailles of 1783. The two countries did conclude a new commercial treaty
in 1786. JA to John Jay, 10 Aug., PCC, No. 84, V, f. 601–604, printed in Dipl. Corr., 1783–1789, 2:428–430; Cambridge Modern Hist., 8:284–286.

8. The Haymarket Theatre, sometimes called “The Little Theatre in the Haymarket,” was
built on the east side of Haymarket Street, between Pall Mall and Coventry Street,
in 1721 (Wheatley, London Past and Present).